What does it feel like to be really old knowing that death is imminent? -from Quora

I am re-posting this as written from Quora because I think it is relevant at any age. I hope you enjoy it.

..............................................................................

I am really old, and I know death is imminent

Most of my friends have passed away, and of those remaining, they suffer from health problems in some way

I am myself totally deaf and partially blind. I live by myself

I am writing this at 6am in the morning

Today, if the weather is fine 

I will go for a walk

I will chat with friends

I will do my shopping

I will do my laundry

I will feed the cat

I will tidy up what needs to be done

I will put out the garbage

I will do what most people do who are not really old and know that death is imminent

Because there is no feeling of being old

There is a feeling that you can't do what you used to do

There is a feeling that you might lose your independence, or if you already have, a feeling that you should try and do as much as you can by yourself

There is a feeling that you should spend as much time as possible with those you like to be with

There is a feeling that time is precious. Of course it always was, but one becomes more aware of it

There is a feeling that many things one does will be done for the last time

There are passing thoughts about those who respect you because you are old, and about those that dismiss you because you are old

There is the aspect that life is changing fast with all the new advances that inundate us daily

There is the aspect of life that nothing changes

Mothers still smile at their babies

Children are still enthralled with their first pet

Learning to ride a bike is still as much fun as starting a company

Blowing out your birthday candles is still as satisfying at eighty as it was at eight

It is not that death is imminent that is important, but that when the curtain comes down, the audience leaves with a sense of satisfaction

As someone once said

The World is a stage

You played your part for what it was worth

You take your bow

and leave

-Stan Hayward, Film/TV/Book writer